Panic surged through Valencia’s body.
Her unease about being seen by the Royal Family, whom she had tried to avoid her whole life, tightened around her.
She panted, forgetting that Kael was hugging her. He watched her silently, his brows creasing with concern.
“Valencia?” he called, snapping her back in his arms.
Her mouth opened as she looked at him.
“Yes?” she mumbled.
Kael reached for the hair at her face and slid it behind her ear. Then he cupped her cheek and pulled her in.
“Are you okay? Was he so ugly that you wanted me to stop him from visiting?” he teased.
Valencia’s mind cleared as his words repeated in her head. She chuckled and rested her head against his chest.
“Did I make it too obvious that I was afraid of him?”
Kael hugged her tightly and closed his eyes peacefully.
“Yes… and I need to make sure that you feel safe and secure with me around.”
Valencia blushed, realizing the warm hug from Kael made her heart flutter.
Soon, Kael sat in the carriage with Valencia, heading to the Academy’s Department of Apothecary. She glanced at Kael, who stared at her the entire time. He smiled, tilting his head with excitement while his arms were crossed.
“Well, hm…” Valencia paused.
Once the carriage stopped, Kael stepped out first and raised his hand for Valencia. She choked on her fear and stared at the hand.
“You won’t slap my hand like you did the first time, will you?” he asked lightly.
Valencia chuckled and took his hand, gripping it firmly.
“Since you’ve asked nicely, Lord Kael,” she responded.
He grinned happily as he helped her balance. Once she was on the ground, he bowed respectfully.
“After you, M’lady.”
Valencia headed into the tower, noticing pinkish-purple smoke drifting beneath the door. Kael followed closely and furrowed his brows as he drew near.
POOF.
A cough behind the door. The door creaked as Valencia pushed it open. Dame Lupis (Eldrich in his disguise as a professor in the Academy) slapped the smoke from her face.
“This is a stinky combination!” she muttered to herself.
Valencia stepped forward and knocked on the door.
“What is it? I’m quite busy right now!” Lupis called.
“Hm… Dame Lupis?” Valencia said.
Lupis snapped her head up and turned around.
“Miss Elyane!” she smiled. “What brings you here?”
Kael walked in after Valencia, startling Lupis. She stepped back and widened her eyes.
“Dame Lupis—”
“Why is he here, too?” Lupis whispered to Valencia.
Valencia chuckled, glancing at Kael before returning her gaze to Lupis.
“He knows… who you are and wanted to tag along,” Valencia stated.
Lupis groaned and raised her hand, snapping her fingers. Valencia, Kael, and Lupis magically appeared in the Magic Tower. Lupis waved her finger—
Transformed into Eldrich.
Eldrich sighed as a chair swooped toward him. He sat and crossed one leg over the other.
“What brings the Young Duke before me? I’m sure you have a lot of questions,” Eldrich said.
Kael smirked and bowed.
“It’s my pleasure to meet the Tower Master of all time,” Kael greeted warmly. Eldrich nodded as his magic served him tea. “I just want to understand a few things… one, why did you teleport Miss Elyane to my bedroom in the middle of the night?”
Eldrich coughed out his tea as he looked at Kael.
“Your bedroom? Was that the last place you two spoke?” Eldrich questioned Valencia.
She blushed and averted her eyes, nodding hesitantly.
“Yes…”
“Oh, my goodness gracious… my apologies to you, Miss Elyane. I should have remembered that the Young Duke was crazy.”
Valencia covered her lips, chuckling. Kael glanced at her, smiling.
“Who wouldn’t be for her?” he teased. She choked on her laugh and turned away.
“By the way, Tower Master Eldrich, is it possible that you get the papers ready so there would be no issue if anyone tries to reject our Esper and Guide contract?” Valencia asked, changing the subject.
Eldrich grinned and leaned back.
“Just call me Eldrich, and yes, I can… but why do I need to do that?” he wondered.
Valencia fiddled with her fingers and scratched the side of her forehead.
“Well… there could be someone who wants to reject it,” she paused. “I mean, two?”
“Two?” Eldrich echoed.
“Princess and Prince of the Galali?” Valencia guessed.
“Yes, they most likely would want to say no and find holes,” Kael added.
Eldrich nodded, rubbing his chin.
“I see. Let me seal a magical bond between the two of you, so that if they try anything, nothing can change,” Eldrich explained.
Kael’s brows furrowed as he turned his gaze to Eldrich.
“You would do that just for us?”
“Not you… her,” Eldrich claimed.
Kael chuckled, baffled. “I guess I’m just nonexistent between you two.”
Eldrich jumped from his chair and ran toward Valencia, pushing Kael aside.
“Did he do anything to you? Because if he did, I could punish him for you before we start,” Eldrich declared.
Valencia giggled and shook her head.
“He didn’t. We can start,” she replied, warming to the idea.
Eldrich took a deep breath and nodded.
“Very well!” he exclaimed. He pointed at Kael and told him to move closer to Valencia, and Kael happily did so. “Once this bind is made, the only way to reverse it is if one of you dies.”
“Oh, so I’ll have to die for her to be freed from me?” Kael asked.
Eldrich frowned and looked at him, dumbfounded.
“That’s a joke. Don’t be dramatic, Young Duke. I’m just telling you to protect her,” Eldrich said, turning away and brushing his shoulder. He looked at his book, magically flipping through the pages. I need to make sure I can link them together without the Royal Palace finding out. This will hide her real identity from anyone and anything.
Valencia bit her lower lip, hoping Eldrich could find what she needed. Once he faced them with the book, he flicked his hand, pushing Valencia’s and Kael’s hands together. They both looked at their joined palms.
“Magic Tower—”
“Sh!” Eldrich interrupted, focusing on the ancient letters in the textbook. Symplokē tōn asterōn.
Two colored lights flashed between their palms—purple and yellow. Dark and Light.
The magic pressure between Eldrich and them began to blow against each other.
Kael’s aura flowed through his core to the palm of his hand that connected with Valencia.
Kael’s brows furrowed as the colors blended into grey. Although there was a sting between their palms, Kael held her hand tightly. Valencia tightened her jaw, her heart thudding rapidly as she stared at their hands. Then—
The shadow cackled by her ear.
She gasped, eyes widening. The laughter faded and reappeared in the other ear, back and forth each second.
“This won’t help him as much as it would help me…” the shadow murmured in its distorted voice behind her.
Valencia’s hand trembled as she slowly loosened her grip and tried to pull away. No… I can’t do this. She closed her eyes, surrendering to the darkness that swallowed her whole.
Kael noticed her sweating hand and gripped it tighter. He stared at her, seeing her frightened expression. What’s wrong? He moved in front of her and went behind her, wrapping her completely in his arms.
She snapped out of the darkness, feeling his warmth. The shadow’s laugh vanished.
“Breathe,” Kael whispered.
Valencia drew a deep breath and leaned her head back against his chest. Her cheek twitched as her jaw clenched. A tear fell, struggling to escape from her inner void.
Eldrich held his hand firmly over them to steady the magic and keep everything intact, yet he nearly flinched seeing Valencia struggle. Valencia gritted her teeth—
GRAB.
“You thought I would leave you alone?” the shadow laughed in her ear.
Just before the bind finished, an orb of condensed void lunged toward Eldrich’s face—only to evaporate mid-flight.
A flicker of black light flashed. Valencia’s eyes turned purple within the second before the lights returned to normal.
Eldrich gasped as he stared at Valencia, panting. What… was that?
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